CVE-2010-0769 in WebSphere Application Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) 6.0 before 6.0.2.41, 6.1 before 6.1.0.31, and 7.0 before 7.0.0.9 does not properly define wsadmin scripting J2CConnectionFactory objects, which allows local users to discover a KeyRingPassword password by reading a cleartext field in the resources.xml file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0769 represents a critical security flaw in IBM WebSphere Application Server versions prior to specific patch levels. This issue affects WebSphere Application Server 6.0 before 6.0.2.41, 6.1 before 6.1.0.31, and 7.0 before 7.0.0.9, where the wsadmin scripting interface fails to properly configure J2CConnectionFactory objects. The flaw stems from inadequate security controls during the creation of these connection factory objects, which are essential components for establishing database connections within the application server environment. The vulnerability specifically impacts the configuration of J2C (Java EE Connector Architecture) connection factories that are used to manage connections to backend databases and other enterprise resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of credential storage within the WebSphere configuration files. When J2CConnectionFactory objects are created through the wsadmin scripting interface, the system fails to properly encrypt or obscure sensitive authentication credentials. Instead, these credentials are stored in cleartext within the resources.xml configuration file, which is accessible to local users with appropriate privileges. This misconfiguration creates a situation where any local user who can read the resources.xml file can directly extract the KeyRingPassword, which serves as the password for accessing the key ring that stores various cryptographic keys and credentials used by the application server. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-312, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext storage, and CWE-255, which covers issues with credential management and authentication.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, creating significant risks for enterprise environments relying on WebSphere Application Server. Local users with access to the system can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive database credentials, potentially enabling them to establish connections to backend databases and access confidential information. The exposure of KeyRingPassword credentials undermines the entire security framework of the application server, as these passwords are often used to protect multiple cryptographic keys and sensitive configuration data. Attackers could potentially escalate their privileges and move laterally within the network by using these discovered credentials to access other systems that rely on the same authentication mechanisms. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which covers the discovery of credentials stored in configuration files, and T1078, which addresses legitimate credentials usage.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the appropriate security patches released by IBM to address this vulnerability. Organizations should immediately upgrade their WebSphere Application Server installations to versions 6.0.2.41, 6.1.0.31, and 7.0.0.9 or later, which contain the necessary fixes to properly configure J2CConnectionFactory objects and prevent cleartext credential storage. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive security audits of their WebSphere configurations to ensure that no other instances of cleartext credential storage exist within the environment. Regular monitoring of system access logs should be implemented to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive configuration files. Security teams should also consider implementing additional access controls and privilege management policies to limit local user access to critical system files, thereby reducing the attack surface for this and similar vulnerabilities. The mitigation approach should also include regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and remediate any other potential credential exposure issues within the WebSphere environment.